Kyiv, 8 July 1997 (RFE/RL) - A newly-formed group of Ukrainian parliamentarians is protesting the country's impending partnership with NATO. Reports say a total of 187 deputies from various political parties have joined an anti-NATO movement in the past few weeks called "Ukraine Outside of NATO."

The deputies say they have scheduled a protest outside Kyiv's parliament tomorrow that will coincide with tomorrow's signing of a treaty on a special partnership between Ukraine and the atlantic alliance. President Leonid Kuchma and NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana are to sign the treaty in Madrid.

Kuchma said today that he is satisfied with the agreement, which he says is modeled on a pact signed last May by Russia and NATO.

The communist faction in parliament failed today to have the issue put on the legislature's agenda for debate.